Named Rum Producer of the Year at the International Wine & Spirits Challenge (IWSC) 2021, Foursquare Rum Distillery, the company behind R.L. Seale's 10 Year Old Barbados Rum are responsible for some of the world’s finest tots. Their flagship 10 Year Old Export Proof – with its signature gangster lean and slightly higher alcohol level – deserves a space in any serious rum collection.
R.L. Seale & Co. was founded in 1926 by Reginald Leon Seale, embracing the Barbados tradition of fine aged and blended rums. Currently in operation by Richard Seale, Reginald's great grandson and the fourth generation in the family rum business. Richard is most recognized by his work as Master Distiller and Master Blender of Foursquare Distillery, re-opened by the Seale family in 1996. Foursquare's rums have garnered an almost absurd amount of accolades over the last handful of years, while also building a steady cult following, eagerly anticipating each release.
However, the rums we've seen under Foursquare's label have all been limited releases, seen once and then never again in the wild. With this release, we finally have an official Foursquare release that can sit on the shelf year round, as a fantastic daily drinker or as a perfect introduction to not just Barbados rum, but great sipping rum in general.
Tasting Notes:The nose shows treacle and sassafras, baking spices and incense, leading to a palate of toasted caramel, sweet plantain, barrel spice, peppercorn, and brown sugar. Touches of cacao and tropical fruits extend throughout the finish. Aged a minimum of 10 Years on-site at the distillery, under a tropical climate in ex-bourbon barrels. Bottled at 46% ABV without any added sugar or flavours.
Awarded Gold - Rum Aged 5-10 Year Old - 2019 International Spirits Challenge
Masterofmalt.com"An excellent rum from Barbados... A wonderfully designed bottle, containing a wonderful rum packed with juicy fruit, nutty spice and lingering floral elements."Finedrams.co
Country: New Zealand Region: Martinborough
Varietal: Pinot Noir Vintage: 2022
Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Ata Rangi
Description:
Ata Rangi is owned and run by Clive Paton and his wife Phyll, together with Clive's sister Alison and winemaker Helen Masters. Clive planted the bare, stony five hectare home paddock at the edge of Martinborough in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area. Renowned for their Pinot Noir, which is consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best, Ata Rangi also produces a range of white wines including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Vineyards:
Crimson is a wine which was inspired by a love of New Zealand's native 'Christmas Trees' the rata and pohutukawa trees. Sales of this wine support Project Crimson, a charitable conservation trust which plants and protects these trees. The Pinot Noir grapes for Crimson are produced from 10-20 year old Martinborough vines in Lismore, Waiora and Walnut Ridge blocks.
Vintage information:
Every season leaves an imprint on the wine, and Crimson Pinot Noir 2014 is a very true reflection of the year's conditions. The spring of 2013 was unusually settled. Mercifully missing were the cold southerly winds often experienced in the Wairarapa, the benign weather delivering flowering conditions that normally reside in a winemaker's dreams. Overall, the growing season was mild with rain at regular intervals resulting in well-formed bunches and healthy canopies coming into the summer months. Fruit was picked between the 11th of March and 5th of April 2016.
Vinification:
The grapes were hand picked and 100% destemmed, keeping as much whole berry fruit as possible. Pre-fermentation maceration lasted between two and six days. The must was inoculated with indigenous yeasts and hand plunged during fermentation that lasted approximately two weeks. The wine was racked into barrel, of which 20% was new oak, where it remained for a further nine months after ma